Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 245

Mountain Lord, having been teleported away by Bong’s transmission formation, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Tamhwa.”

Tamhwa, who had been transformed into the Weiju Hoyeon Armor, shifted into the form of a Five-Dragon. Carrying Mountain Lord and his companions on its head, it began to swim through the air.

His current physical condition was, to put it mildly, terrible.

Having forcibly wielded great power while his cultivation was unstable, it was only natural that his internal organs were in disarray.

Mountain Lord, while undergoing the Wood Calamity [a trial or tribulation], had used his power as a matter of course, never expecting it to cause such a significant backlash.

It was a power he had wielded effortlessly for tens of thousands of years, but his current body was not yet ready to fully accept it.

He had anticipated some consequences, but not to this degree.

After all, he was a cultivator from the Lower World who had not even fully accepted Heaven Origin Energy [a type of spiritual energy].

It was fortunate that he had only suffered this much, even after using the Supreme Celestial Outer Yang Divine Art, a technique of the Upper World.

“Are you alright?”

Bong, as if sensing Mountain Lord’s condition, asked with concern.

“I’m fine.”

He was in considerable pain, but Mountain Lord had always endured this level of internal injury.

While others would have rolled their eyes and fainted, Mountain Lord, accustomed to internal injuries, found it bearable.

No, he had no choice but to bear it.

Even though he had been teleported hundreds of thousands of miles away from Gu Young, he was still within the confines of the Yu-Mugan [a dangerous area].

There was no telling when that bastard might reappear, so he had to move quickly.

Even if it wasn’t Gu Young, this place was still the Yu-Mugan, a place teeming with other cruel and ferocious beasts.

There was no time to dawdle.

Mountain Lord stroked Cho-ah’s cheek, who had lost consciousness in his arms, and rose to his feet.

But then.

Sensing a subtle presence, Mountain Lord quickly pushed Cho-ah away.

Whoosh!!

Thud!!

“Cough!”

Mountain Lord’s head snapped back.

His face contorted as he stared at something that had pierced through his abdomen.

“Dang… Chun!!”

The one who had stabbed him in the back was none other than Dang Chun.

“That tenacious bastard!”

Bong exclaimed, but in that instant.

Mountain Lord’s crimson eyes flashed open.

His pupils dilated instantly, glaring at Dang Chun as if to pierce through his eyes.

Wooong!

Mountain Lord activated his Danryeong Geumjeong [a technique or skill].

It was the Gwaebi Yeogak [Illusion Realm].

In an instant, the surrounding scenery melted like ink, and a transparent barrier began to form around Mountain Lord, enveloping him.

“This is…”

“He deliberately aimed to miss the vital points. You’ll regret this, Senior Brother.”

Wooowoong!!

Soon, the light disappeared from their eyes, and their bodies completely froze.

Bong recognized the Gwaebi Yeogak at a glance and gave a worried look.

“What in the world is happening!”

Only Cho-ah spoke in a bewildered tone.

“Your husband has dragged Dang Chun’s mind into the Illusion Realm.”

Mountain Lord was still stabbed by the sword, and Dang Chun was still holding the sword.

But in the Illusion Realm unfolding within their minds, perhaps by now.

“They are fighting fiercely.”

It wasn’t a bad choice.

Mountain Lord’s physical condition was not good.

Having been ambushed by Dang Chun, it went without saying.

So, it was better to unfold the Illusion Realm and fight him in the mental realm.

“C-can’t we just kill that Dang Chun bastard right now?”

“No. This Illusion Realm was created by Beom, so rashly interfering with it will not end well.

All we can do now is wait.”

Unfortunately, that was all.

Cho-ah bit her lip until it bled.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

At her own powerlessness.

* * *

Inside their Illusion Realm.

Mountain Lord and Dang Chun had dozens, hundreds of swords hanging behind their backs.

Unlike reality, Mountain Lord’s complexion looked good in this place, and his appearance was clean and unharmed.

However, Dang Chun knew well that this was because this place was within the Illusion Realm.

“To cast an Illusion Realm at the moment of the ambush.”

He had not expected it.

“You have a knack for judgment.

Looking at you, it’s like watching a War Immortal who has lived through thousands of years of war.”

Dang Chun clicked his tongue, but Mountain Lord kept his mouth shut and raised his sword.

“Well, it’s not like we have time for small talk, and the longer we drag this out, the more disadvantageous it will be for you, so of course.”

Dang Chun’s voice sounded strangely excited.

Mountain Lord was a little puzzled by that, but it wasn’t something to dwell on.

To him, Dang Chun was someone he had to either kill or run away from.

“There’s no need for men to waste words.”

Dang Chun raised his sword.

“Illusion Realm. Or, to be precise, it would be better to call it the Mental Realm. You thought you would have the advantage here, but…”

Dang Chun’s lips curled up.

“Among the swordsmen who have mastered the Gyuncheon Bohwa [a sword technique], who wouldn’t have a high level of divine sense?”

With those words, he pointed the tip of his sword at Mountain Lord.

“Are you confident?”

His expression was extremely serious.

At first glance, it sounded like he was asking if he was confident in defeating him, but looking at his expression, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Your divine power after undergoing the Calamity was astonishing even to the immortals. Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that you get lucky and defeat me. But do you think that will be the end of it?”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Even if you defeat me.”

The Sword Demon has many swords.

“Thirty-six swords, including you.”

There are thirty-six swords.

All of them are like Dang Chun, having mastered the Gyuncheon Bohwa, living immortals and swords at the same time.

“Even if you kill me, they will come to get you.”

One of the other swords.

“If you’re lucky, you might survive again. But…”

How long will that luck last?

That’s what Dang Chun was saying.

“You are outstanding. Whether it’s by chance or by fate. Perhaps because you are the last sword of the Sword Demon, your talent is extraordinary.”

But.

“You are still weak.”

No matter how outstanding your talent may be, there are limits.

“Even if you kill me, the other swords that come after will be stronger. You have to face them all and eventually kill the Sword Demon to be completely free.”

He was asking.

“Can you kill the Sword Demon?”

Mountain Lord did not readily answer Dang Chun’s question.

No, he didn’t answer.

He simply raised his sword.

And.

“Dang Chun, your question is wrong.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Then do you think you are living under the permission of Heaven?”

It was an absurd question.

The very act of walking the path of cultivation is defying Heaven.

How can one say that they are living under the permission of Heaven?

That is denying the Dao [the natural order], and it is no different from denying one’s own life.

“No, how can we, who defy Heaven, live under its permission?”

Then Mountain Lord said.

“We are the ones who defy even Heaven, so what kind of question is it to ask if we can kill just one immortal?”

“…”

“It’s not about whether we can or cannot. Defying Heaven is the very essence of cultivation (修道) [pursuing the Dao].

If something blocks one’s Dao, even Heaven must be cut down, so how can one discuss the Dao if they cannot even defeat a single immortal?”

Dang Chun was stunned for a long time at the words that were spoken as if they were obvious, and then let out a bitter laugh.

“Yes, you’re right.”

He gave a hollow laugh and then immediately grabbed his sword as if he had made up his mind.

“But anyone can talk. So show me with your sword.”

Shhh!

In an instant, Dang Chun’s figure disappeared.

Mountain Lord did not panic and immediately tilted his head and struck down with his sword.

Whoosh! Kaang!!

Squeak! Squeak!!

Dang Chun, who had appeared in an instant, smiled as he met Mountain Lord’s sword.

Whooong!

A fierce wind blew.

Mountain Lord and Dang Chun’s figures disappeared.

Kwaang! Koong!

Within the Illusion Realm, their figures could be seen intermittently, and each time, a roar that sounded like the sword was screaming echoed out. They were wielding their swords at speeds that could not be seen with the naked eye, and as a result, all the thick mist in the Illusion Realm was cleared away.

Each swing had the power to cut mountains and cleave the sea.

Leaving aside the profundity of their swordsmanship, the aftermath of the swords colliding was enough to distort the Illusion Realm and shatter the scenery.

“Tch.”

Mountain Lord looked at his sword, Hwaran, and stored it in his body.

There was no point in clashing swords.

In the first place, they themselves were one sword.

They didn’t need to hold anything in their hands.

They were a treasured sword in their very existence.

The Gyuncheon Bohwa.

As Mountain Lord took a stance and clenched his fist, a mandala bloomed behind his back.

Soon, the light of Gyuncheon emanated from his body, and intense waves were emitted.

But that was the same for Dang Chun as well.

“Let’s see. How strong is your power.”

The fight was about to begin.

* * *

Three days had passed since Mountain Lord unfolded the Illusion Realm with the Gwaebi Yeogak and began fighting Dang Chun.

Already three days had passed.

Cho-ah bit her nails and waited anxiously for Mountain Lord.

Mountain Lord was still stabbed by Dang Chun’s sword, and blood continued to flow from his mouth and back.

“How much time is left?”

“About a day or two is the limit.”

Kkwadeudeuk.

Even though they were fighting in the Illusion Realm, it wasn’t safe.

Mountain Lord didn’t have much time.

What was fortunate was that as time passed, Dang Chun’s complexion gradually worsened, and drops of blood began to drip from his mouth.

Perhaps they were engaged in a close match.

“Don’t worry too much. If Beom hasn’t died, I can somehow intervene. He will have to use a lot of power to get out of here, but I won’t.”

Even so, Cho-ah was silent.

She was just endlessly looking at her husband.

No one knew what she was thinking with those strangely sad eyes.

It was then.

Cho-ah suddenly opened her mouth.

“I’ve known since I was born that my fate is unfortunate. They say couples resemble each other. My husband is also like that, so I’ve had many thoughts.”

“What thoughts?”

“My husband is always suffering like that to endure our couple’s fate.

I’m grateful and sorry for that.”

“That’s what a couple is.”

“But I’m a hindrance to my husband.”

Bong closed his mouth.

He wanted to tell her that it wasn’t true, but that wouldn’t be for her sake.

That was the truth.

His enemy was an existence from the Upper World, so it was right that Cho-ah, a cultivator from the Lower World, couldn’t be of any help.

That was natural.

‘Beom is special.’

That’s normal.

But Bong was worried because she was carrying that burden in her heart.

He didn’t know when the seed of that heart that had taken root inside her would grow.

“I understand your feelings, but it seems like now is the time to put them aside for a while.”

It was then.

Paang!!

The transparent barrier that surrounded Mountain Lord and Dang Chun was lifted, and a violent wind blew.

As if he had been waiting, Bong made a hand seal to create a protective barrier, and Tamhwa transformed into its original form and stood by.

“Keuk….”

Thud.

Mountain Lord spat out blood and knelt down.

His complexion was so pale that it was almost white, and his whole body was trembling.

In contrast, Dang Chun looked at Mountain Lord with a carefree face.

Cho-ah’s heart sank.

She was about to rush towards him in an instant.

“It’s okay….”

Mountain Lord’s exhausted voice made her stop in her tracks.

In contrast, Dang Chun looked at Mountain Lord with a relieved expression.

“My enemy has always been the Sword Demon. My grudge and the revenge of my comrades. That hasn’t changed for thousands of years. But….”

Dang Chun dropped his sword and knelt down, meeting Mountain Lord’s gaze.

“What is your enemy?”

What is your grudge.

What is your resentment.

When he asked that, Mountain Lord answered.

In a voice filled with blood.

“Heaven….”

Dang Chun smiled as if he was relieved.

And then.

Sreureuk.

He began to turn into ashes and disappear from his toes.

“Not bad.”

Dang Chun smiled faintly and disappeared.

As he turned into ashes and disappeared, there was a transparent sword that emitted five-colored light inside, but it shattered with a clang and disappeared with the dust.

After he disappeared.

Mountain Lord also lost consciousness.

* * *

At a certain renowned sacred mountain.

At its peak, Taoists from a certain sect were gathered, holding a feast.

The one sitting at the head of the table was a seemingly eminent old man, who was a Seonsa [a Taoist immortal] at the final stage of Jiseon [a level of cultivation].

There were two more Jiseon around him, who were acquaintances who had rushed to congratulate him.

“I heard you are preparing to ascend to immortality soon? That’s really amazing.”

“You will all reach it too. I’m just one step ahead.”

The Seonsa waved his hand and humbly declined.

Soon, the feast reached its climax, and the Taoists displayed various divine powers, decorating the night sky splendidly, and the sound of music began to be heard exquisitely.

The Jiseon, as well as the Taoists gathered there, were all elated, drunk on alcohol and drunk on excitement.

Suddenly, an anomaly occurred.

Jeojeojeojeok!!

Suddenly, the sky cracked, and a spiritual pressure that seemed to collapse the sky appeared.

And a moment later.

Kwang!

Two people fell from the crack in the sky into the middle of the feast.

The Seonsa, the protagonist of this feast, narrowed his eyes as he looked at those who had fallen. That’s because.

They were quite familiar faces.

Their energy was truly different.

But there was bound to be a connection.

“Seonsa! Do you know them?”